Tuesday, June 25, 2013

The Notorious Benedict Arnold by Steve Sheinkin

This book
discusses the life of Benedict Arnold from his adventurous youth, to his quest
for importance and wealth, through his success and disappointments during the
Revolutionary War, and to his failed attempt to end the war with Britain by
allowing the British to overtake West Point and capture Washington.Sheinkin does a good job of revealing the
possible motives of Arnold and talking about his accomplishments that are often
overlooked in our national disdain.The
author also parallels the story with that of his accomplice John Andre.

I found this
book to be very interesting.I was not
aware of the many accomplishments of Benedict Arnold before he turned
traitor.The March to Quebec is an
unrivaled feat through Maine during the fall and early winter of 1775.In addition, Arnold’s contributions during
the Battle of Valcour Island and the Battle of Saratoga were amazing.At the very end of the book Sheinkin states “If
Arnold had dies from his wounds at the Battle of Saratoga, we would think of
him today as one of the all-time great American heroes” (page 306).He then describes a monument at the site of
the Battle of Saratoga that alludes to Arnold’s heroism but does not mention
his name.These references are
haunting.Oh how the mighty have fallen.